Changes to Augusta's Sacred Ground
Have Golf Fanatics Picking Sides

By

Steve McKee Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated April 9, 2002 10:42 a.m. ET

They'll be teeing it up at the Masters on Thursday in Augusta, Ga., but it seems that there are plenty of people who are already teed off. The Power That Be at Augusta National Golf Club, one Hootie Johnson, took it largely upon himself this past winter to lengthen the venerable course by 285 yards. Some say he painted a mustache on the Mona Lisa; others say he's one smart Hootie to realize that Augusta (and golf itself) needs to be saved from long-ball technology and what it's doing to the hallowed game.